AAU Ekpoma grants clemency to final-year students over exam cancellation

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Ali University (AAU), Ekpoma, Professor Sunday Samuel, has granted clemency to final-year students whose examinations were annulled on January 29, 2025.

This annulment was a result of a significant celebration on campus, which the university deemed a serious breach of its regulations.

Otunba Mike Aladenika, the university's spokesperson, announced this decision on Thursday.

The university administration had accused the graduating students of participating in disruptive behaviors, such as a car parade, excessive noise from sirens, money spraying, shouting, and obstructing access roads on campus.

Ephraim Isiroaje, the Acting Registrar of AAU, clarified that the initial punitive action was meant to serve as a warning to other graduating students who had yet to complete their examinations.

He further mentioned that the students affected, mainly from the Faculty of Arts—specifically the Departments of Mass Communication, English, and History and International Studies—had disregarded previous notices prohibiting such celebrations on campus.

He stated: “The university management convened an emergency meeting and decided to enforce the existing regulations regarding wild celebrations, resulting in the cancellation of all final-year examinations conducted on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, including, but not limited to, ELS 41I, MAC 414, and IIIS 416.

“The management will determine at a later date when the canceled examinations will be rescheduled.”

Our correspondent in Benin reported that key stakeholders, both within and outside the state, urged the AAU management to exercise leniency, a request that was ultimately taken into account by the university authorities.